Top five tips for interview preparation
Anyone who says that they go into an interview feeling “confident of the outcome” should think carefully. A job interview may end up being an enjoyable experience, but it usually starts with you meeting strangers you want to impress and may end up working with.
A degree of nervous energy can go in your favour, but good preparation should ensure the best possible outcome for all. The old adage “to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail” is thoroughly tested in an interview.
“The interview is one part of the recruitment process that we cannot attend with the candidate,” explains Big Sky Additions’ Director Justin Murray. “So it requires a strong partnership of the candidate doing their homework and us taking time to ensure that they are fully prepared. This not only helps to ease the inevitable nerves but also ensures the client gets the best possible impression of the candidate from the start.”
Justinexplains: “We strive to meet both sides before the interview – the client to understand the role, their culture and environment, and the candidate to know their background, skills, qualifications and experience.”
Interviews can take a variety of formats: • Biographical – reviewing your CV • Competency-based – investigating your previous experience • Assessment centres – bringing all candidates together to undertake a variety of joint and single tasks.
Looking at interview scenarios and questions they can, by and large, be broken down into three main areas
1. Who are you 2. What can you do 3. What would you like to do
Here are our top tips for interview preparation:
1. Keep abreast of industry news and latest trends. “Read the local press regularly and register for online updates from websites like Accountancy Age, the FT etc,” suggests Justin.
2. Research the company carefully. “Your preparation needs to go beyond a quick browse of their corporate website and what can be found on Google” advises Justin. “The Companies House website provides the last accounts registered for the business. If anyone you are LinkedIn to or other contacts have a connection to the business be sure to pick their brains too,” he adds.
3. Prepare your interview outfit in advance, and if you do not know the dress code err on the side of caution with a formal suit. If you are told it is “casual”, go smart casual. Avoid being too trendy or dressed down.
4. Learn your CV. “It might seem obvious, but if you can’t expand on any of the descriptions in your CV then you will soon lose credibility at interview,” explains Justin. “If a recruitment consultant or another advisor has helped you to fine tune your CV then its doubly important that you are completely familiar with the content and the wording used,” he continues.
5. Practice questions. “The inevitable “tell me about yourself” might seem straightforward to answer, but a well-prepared response can give you confidence and start the interview on a very solid footing,” suggests Justin. Responses to popular questions about a significant achievement, a triumph over adversity or good team working can also be prepared in advance. “Your recruitment consultant or someone impartial, who doesn’t know you well, can play the part of the interviewer to give you a bit of match practice,” adds Justin. Don’t be afraid to give examples of where things have not gone well. “Some of our best lessons are learnt when problems have occurred. As long as you can show that you have learnt from these times, it will come across as positive in an interview situation.”
For further advice about the interview process contact Justin Murray on 01603 516230